Engagement Phases

UIC Impact is the framework for our students to enrich and optimize their academic, professional, and personal growth. We believe there are three phases of engagement at UIC — Explore, Expand, and Excel. The optimal engagement experience at UIC will include the following:

Explore - Students should partake in two high impact experiences that helps them learn more about themselves and the work they wish to do. These can include:

• First Year Seminar courses in their majors
• Living & Learning Communities in Residence Life
• Peer Mentorship Programs, and Summer Bridge Programs.

All of these programs help ease students’ transitions into University life.

Expand -Students should partake in two High Impact experiences that help them dive deep into experiences where they

• Purposefully engage with their peers in substantive ways to create change / apply real world learning to challenges facing them and their peers that require sustained effort over a period of time.
• Immerse themselves in the exploration of their culture and / or the culture of others.
• Navigate professional settings for a sustained period of time to learn professional norms.

These experiences include:

• Student Leadership
• Study Abroad
• Large Scale Leadership Experience
• Student Employment
• Internships
• Research

Excel - Students should engage in two activities that afford them the opportunity to:

• Successfully convey the meaning of their academic and co-curricular experiences.
• Synthesize their application of learning to Real World problems
  Programs can include capstone projects and presenting at Impact and Research Day before graduating.

We offer programs and resources that help students build upon their co-curricular experience while empowering and impacting the community beyond our campus.